Fifth annual pottery festival brings artists to New Bern

Wednesday

The fifth annual East Carolina Pottery Festival will bring pottery exhibits, clay throwing techniques and firing demonstrations to Tryon Palace on June 1.

The fifth annual East Carolina Pottery Festival will bring pottery exhibits, clay throwing techniques and firing demonstrations to Tryon Palace on June 1.

The festival is from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., a free event that has expanded in recent years and is expected to bring more than 40 potters to New Bern’s well-established community of artists and art lovers.

Spread across the North Carolina History Center’s Bate Commons and inside Mattocks Hall, the East Carolina Pottery Festival’s waterfront venue promises a day of intriguing pottery demonstrations and unique shopping.

The festival also will provide a showcase for Eastern North Carolina styles that range from utilitarian wares, sculptural forms and traditional shapes, to offbeat contemporary form and glazing techniques.

“Over the years, hundreds of people of all ages have enjoyed the tremendous variety, creativity and beauty of our local potters’ work,” said event founder Rich Daniels. “The initial focus of this show was to let the world in on the incredible talents of our local potters — and now the secret is out. Collectors will arrive from all over the state and surrounding states for the chance to own some of these very unique pieces of pottery.”

Choosing a new venue for its fifth year was a necessary move by the festival, which has outgrown various sites in its original location of Pollocksville. It was there that a handful of clay artists first gathered to show their wares at Daniels Art Glass Gallery and Studios.

“In the past, this show has been held at some of North Carolina’s most beautiful plantation settings,” Daniels said. “It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful venue, but it really doesn’t get any better than Tryon Palace’s new History Center. The potters and public alike are excited about a venue where weather isn’t a factor. This is the perfect marriage where history plays host to one of the oldest and most enduring crafts in the world.”

While demonstrations like wheel throwing and Raku firing will stand out as two of the event’s most popular items, visitors can experience hands-on opportunities as well.

Fledgling clay artists of all ages are invited to get their hands dirty by making pottery on the wheel or by hand-building an item. A limited number of spots also will be available for specialized classes.

“Large Vessels” by Scott Haynes and “Chinese Brush Painting” by Elizabeth Priddy are open on a first-come, first-served basis, so those interested in attending should sign up as soon as possible.

Visitors can also view examples of North Carolina pottery in the Tryon Palace collection. This small sampling will be displayed at no cost and include a mix of antique, vintage and contemporary North Carolina ceramics dating from the late 19th to the early 21st centuries.

The N.C. History Center’s Duffy Gallery will also be open as well with a free exhibit titled “A Visual Feast.”

The exhibit is provided by the Craven Arts Council and Gallery. The exhibit of paintings and photography finds its inspiration from the food and culture of Eastern North Carolina.

For more information, call Daniels at 224-1446.

For more information about upcoming events at Tryon Palace, call 639-3500.

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